This seems to be the constant question we're being asked (of those who can speak some english). This has created a bit of stumbling tongues for a discerning of those who have ears to hear, and also a privilege to smile and say how much God loves Japan! For those at the Startup Tokyo we attended last night, I think we brought some revelation by our conviction of a love for this nation to be great again, but definite appeal of oddness. None the less, Jesus is King, and He will always be, so we're here to make Him known and not our own agenda.
This has felt like dredging along in some ways, because we're floating around without concrete sureties, but the thrill is holding to His words and not budging. However, I'm doing my best to keep from doing the old Noel's ways, and in my own stress and efforts, try and meet everyone, do everything, reach out to every opportunity and 'make it happen'. WRONG! God's reminding me of my role, which leaves me very speechless and humble at His gentleness, to love and support Paul, pursue the Kingdom with all of my heart. Love God, Love people!
Paul has been such a trooper, I couldn't have asked for a better partner to ride the waves of the unknown, (like the trains in Tokyo), swim through the waters, (attempt at conversing and learning the culture of respect/honor), and walking through the fire without burning (our new mini room within this hostel :) My husband shines with a glow that says I know who My Father is and I will not bow the knee to another. He's unshakable and we thoroughly enjoy embracing one another, working together, reminding one another of God's words, and I honestly don't know what I would do without him. Possible panic here and there. But He's been so at rest, cool as a cucumber, even being in the Startup gathering, meeting people who spoke of nothing that had to do with what God is sharing with us (such as selling iwatches), we know our Father is moving for us and preparing the way.
Over and over we hear the facts that we read about in the news and books about what a boys club this nation is, stuck in it's old ways, saying/promising to do one this but meaning another (hypocritical). Another Gaigien, boy from Finland we met, couldn't stop talking about how much he hated his work, how much they drive him, and yet he sees the greatest potential in the nation to be great and create startups all around, he has a Japanese girl and desires to stick it out, but his facts about it's all who you know to get in the right meetings and places and it takes years, we could only look at him without agreeing to that factual, sensual logic which is apart from our belief system.
God has told us to never allow what others don't see, effect what we do see :)
Kayler, on the other hand, was a diamond in the rough! So we planned to go visit Hope Church in Funabashi as our friends mentioned them and Paul was in contact with the pastor who said it's a a strange time to come, but please by all means, do. What she meant was, after birthing and pastoring the church for 30 years, her and her husband (americans) were finally passing it off to her daughter and Japanese husband to continue. So the service, (which they rent a floor above a Pachinko gambling place) was all about their great trek of carrying this dream to start a church in Japan all the through to thier own children and passing the baton. It was a bit strange for us who know none of them, but very intimate and touching as there was much tears and praise!
What was most incredible to us, was the pastor's dad, also from Eugene, was finally retiring form missions in Japan, with his wife, after about 69 years! After the war, General Mcarther asked for 1000 missionaries to come to Japan, and he and his wife (they met in Japan) both took the pledge and went! Wow we had no clue that even after all the harsh war, Mcarther knew the value of Christ!
AS soon as we introduced outselves, Shelly the baton passer, they greeted us so warmly and asked us to come stay a few days at their place. We gladly hope to in the next few weeks once things settle down. But that old grandpa heard Paul was called to business and directed him right to Kaylor to meet! It was really special!
We sat with Kaylor for a few hours after the service and finally took our party to a Soba restaurant. A man of such great integrity at such a young age of 26, full on white boy from the south, has such a heart for Japan! He's been studying for 8 years, I believe living for maybe half that time here back and forth, studied Japanese and International business and such, because he knew he didn't want to come into this nation (as others have) all pompous, but be in bedded with their culture, language, to come along side and help lift them up, love them, help them!
There's quite a bit to his story, we were in awe of him, and how this Japanese family has even taken him in! He did say what stress and loneliness he suffered many times with even his hair falling out and crying. It's not been a cake walk, but now he is the very first foreigner, hired into this prestigious packaging company, fluently "throwing down" Japanese with the best of them, and helping market internationally and he's completely passionate about it! He says contrary to most companies, they actually treat him like family and don't want him to overwork. He's never been showy about being a Christian but they all know as they have inquired why he's there, etc. He said he's even invited many to their Christmas show and they fully received the flyers with great consideration!
We felt such grace being with kyler as he helped order new foods to try, very polite, teaching us things and yet also in awe of the things God has been saying and doing through us, he was I believe equally inspired (especially when we went out of our way to bless the waitress with a tip and huge and kindness as well as the drunk man, I think so tired from mwork on the ground in the rain, unbrella upside down. I prayed and commanded peace and he got right up). We were grateful for our encounter as Kayler is thoroughly sold out for Japan and eager to help us. I asked if he knew any other foreigners in the same position as he with the language and inside that system? He said he knew not one!
We are planning to meet Kayler's Japanese mother, who he's winning over for Jesus :) He also has connections with real estate friends and possibly English only speaking jobs. Thank you Lord for your Co workers you have planned for us!
Let me back up unto a time line since I last wrote....
So last Friday we made Taco's for the Sasaoka family and they was a constant "Oishi" (delicious) every few bites! Wow we're spoiled with Mexican food I suppose :)
Gave my pink gloves away to this little girl Yureka on the train as I felt to do something. If there's one thing I've got going on for sure, it's I look different. Paul calls me Big Bird, for I'm not hard to find here :) But with that I'm trying to utilize the difference to touch, pray, encourage and smile :) That gift allowed me to pray for her as I motioned to her mother if the mask was because she was sick? (half the people wear these masks over their face, like dad does in the shop :) It's moments like that, that I believe God will bring the increase and ripples are happening.
I started to write down people I touched, hugged or prayed for, but I think it's going to be too much; however I'll mention those who stand out.
I met Rada, a young girl from Nepal who helped us through the stations and she said he brother was a Christian here in Japan. He asked her to a Christmas service and said yes, lots of peace and joy (because I said that's what Jesus has done for me), never met anyone from there. It's funny, this reminds me of my new friend Qiu.
Qiu is 23, from China, studying here to be a nurse and is incredibly sweet. God ordained with my 'impression' while out walking at the park a few days back, to specifically talk to her. I'd been stopping and saying hello to many old folks (mostly the age in the middle of the day walking around the park for exercise), and I saw her young hanging head. I just thought I'd approach and bring some sort of compliment and hug, but as soon as I reached out with a hello how're you, it's like we hit it off! We're stumbling to speak to one another but as it began to rain and she offered her Kasa (umbrella) to walk with her to shelter, I finally found out she's really Chinese! So similar to Rada, us foreigners are using a middle ground languages of Japanese but they also speak a little english.
Qio led me to the Toshokan (library) and I saw her stuff setup there and we continued to commune via Google translate. I told her it's so incredible because Jesus (who I told her called us to Japan) led me to go talk to her, and she replied very amazed, that she was studying and felt compelled to go for a walk. So I thank the Lord for letting this love sink in, that You Lord are so real and see her!
We connected and I've since gone back yesterday to the library and visited her! She saw me reading the Bible and took it with gentleness and wonder at what it was. I'm stunned! She's so young but God has said let no age, gender, race, Nothing stand in the way of love! She, like most people (especially students) here work part time jobs as well, usually restaurants. I said maybe we can have coffee or visit her Chinese restaurant.
Back to the Sasaoka's household: So Josh the dad, has been incredibly inspired by I believe our love for the Lord (maybe it was the early morning praying and worshipping) but He's been interested in learning more about tongues and the Holy SPirit. We gave him Dave's book and he finished in less than 2 days and was rereading so slowly. He said I just love the part about, "Don't speak to God about your problem, talk to your problem about God!" :) He was eager to practice praying in tongues and so just before Saori left for her Aglow trip up north, we spend time praying and even Sunday we did the same. Josh said he feels he's getting old and wants to press in to make an impact for the kingdom, and Paul smoothly reminded him that it's not about all the great works you do, it's the great faith you have. With media and technology today you can sit in your house and even send out via media, or even just releasing faith and transform this world.
We had a blast building up our faith with Josh and his ultimate humility!
Holy Spirit, I'm trusting that we're so one that I felt let to look into tickets early Sunday morning, and we found tickets, 1 way, about $400 each, with incredible times, so we bought them! We return back home to Japan January 29th, one way!!!
Josh treated us so kindly to Gyu Niku, like a mean grilling buffet again, but all out with huge meat chunks (I personally loved the salads) and he brought along Linn Chan, and we had a ball just laughing, sharing testimonies, learning Japanese and teaching english. That girl has a hallow leg, I've never seen a 12 year old eat so much! And she gets up early in the morning for school and eats another big meal with rice and does it all over again :)
We wanted to leave something for Lynn Chan to know we value her and appreciate her love in the house, whether she wanted us there or not, (even though it was a bit difficult to communicate and I don't think she's used to hugs :) but as we snuck a letter with candy to Josh to give to her, we found she'd snuck a note in our bags for us! It was so special, as she went way out of her way to write in English the recipe for the salad we were in love with at the restaurant!
It's hard to read, but the heart is there, the "Your Love Salad" title :) What a sweetheart! BTW cabbage is actually lettuce if you're wanting to try it :)
Then she even added our names in Kanji, which we were talking about at dinner or what our name mean, as Japanese can choose how to write their names out of the 3 alphabets and mix and mingle! So for NOERU, she said the Kanji makes my name to mean plain, mercy, flow. POORU means walk, weave. I think pretty prohpetic! Thank you Lynn Chan! (Paul calls her Ring).
Peanute Butter company? Coffee Company? Here's a few ideas we threw out there after too much joking, I thought seriously, why don't we? So I brought a Pb from Costco and the whole family is loving it! I decided to try making some on my own and Paul and Josh helped me shell the peanuts. Almost a success, minus no crushes but just a blender. Anyways, Josh said that the first missionaries who came about 100 years ago needed to finance themselves, and so they started a Peanute butter company
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